‘I’m learning things I never knew before’

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Learning the ropes, how to tack, jibe and capsize are the most significant things learned by the majority of the Prospect Primary P5 boys during the weeks since they began their sailing programme, based at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

But for Alex Burrows overcoming his fear of the open water was the greatest triumph.

“I’m excited,” he explained, “because I’ve overcome my fear. I sailed by myself last week. I was nervous, but at the end I felt brave.”

Nominated the ‘Best Sailor of the Week’ for Week Five, Alex was very proud of his achievement. “You have to be independent and listen to the rules,” he continued, “because no one else is with you in the boat.”

It was for such victories that the sailing programme, initiated through the Bermuda Educators Network and sponsored by Kattegat Limited, was set up by Philip Maybury, former Physical Education teacher with Prospect Primary and currently a facilitator with BEN.

It is led by RBYC instructors Tom Evans, Sean Evans (a Royal Yachting Association Senior Instructor) and Olivia Reilly and is held on Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 3pm.

Like the other boys, Clevonte Lodge had never sailed before and in the five weeks has learned a great deal about handling Optimists, including how to tack and how to go up wind.

“Sailing is fun,” he observed, before adding, “I think a lot of people should join because even though you ain’t really learning [school subjects], like Math, you could get a good education, and it keeps you out of violence.”

Asked to explain what he meant, Clevonte continued, “If people don’t get into a lot of things, they would just join all the other people who don’t do anything and become part of gangs.”

Somewhat contrarily, for twins Jah and Jay Hall, capsizing has been the most enjoyable experience.

“It’s fun to go on the backside and push it up and bail the water out,” explained Jah, who added that there was nothing he didn’t like about his sailing adventures.

For Jay, “when you capsize you get to feel the water. It cools you off when it’s hot.”

He also enjoyed the fact that “we get to control our own boat”.

While Luke Smith had been in a sail boat once with his father, he has still learned a great deal. “I’m learning things I never knew before,” he declared. “I feel I could make a hobby or career of it.”

This is exactly the sort of beyond-the-classroom enrichment Philip Maybury was seeking for the boys.

The Primary 5 boys were chosen particularly because they will then enter Primary 6 ready to be school leaders with an enhanced sense of responsibility and self-empowerment.

This, he believes, will have an overall impact on the school environment.

Having worked with the boys since they were in Primary 2, Mr. Maybury has seen a significant improvement in their conduct and sense of independence in the few weeks since beginning the sailing programme.

“Totally exciting,” he exclaimed.

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